(1) Consider the relationship between the indoor kitchen and outdoor kitchen. How self-sufficient do you want the outdoor kitchen to be? How could they be used together when cooking or entertaining? What is the traffic pattern between them? Select low-maintenance materials designed to withstand the rigors of an outdoor kitchen. High-quality stainless steel provides a sanitary surface, easily cleaned and corrosion resistant in harsh environments and natural stone counters work well.

(2) The outdoor kitchen design should complement the architecture of the home and the landscape. Use compatible materials and incorporate subtle architectural details. Plan the entire outdoor entertaining space as part of a single functional plan. Dining areas, lounging areas, cooking areas and pool areas often co-exist. Think of these as outdoor rooms and consider the flow of traffic between them as part of the design.

(3) The location of the outdoor kitchen and the equipment within the kitchen can greatly affect the installation or placement of the necessary gas, water, and electrical supply. Extend the outdoor entertaining season with heaters, shade and rain shelter. Provide ample lighting. Providing adequate task lighting in an outdoor kitchen can be quite a challenge, but it is necessary to keep the kitchen working after dark.

(4) Most importantly, understand the user ’s needs and equipment available. How does the user cook inside? Outside? Do they do their own cooking, at parties or hire a chef? How many people, and how often do they entertain?

(5) In home improvement, a ‘pergola/arbor ’ has come to mean an outdoor patio structure formed of horizontal trellis work supported on columns or posts. The origin of the word ‘pergola described tall arched structures on which grapevines climbed. They were often used in vineyards, private homes or found along scenic landscapes.

(6) Your outdoor patio is or can become your outdoor entertainment center. If you’ve got recreational equipment outside such as grills, tools, furniture, they need protection from the elements and so do you. The Texas sun or ever-changing weather should not prevent you from enjoying your home during the entire year.

(7) Make sure the patio shade covers you choose are rugged enough and constructed in such a way to stand up to the roughest Texas winds. Also, be sure that your patio shade cover employs some sort of efficient draining system for precipitation.

(8) Pick a patio shade cover design and installation contractor that will make your addition look like it’s part of the original construction and that there is aesthetic synergy with your home’s exterior.

(9) Patio shade covers help provide an additional space for outdoor activities with some protection from the elements. It becomes a social space for gathering. Comparison shopping should be based on reputation, reliability, experience and price ‘value’ not just lowest price.